A global pharmaceutical leader strengthens ESG Governance across its supply chain

Dun & Bradstreet assisted the organization to take control of its ESG risks by bringing clarity and structure to its supplier network. With regulations evolving fast, the organization relied on D&B to assess key suppliers and build a more transparent, compliant, and future-ready supply chain — raising the bar for sustainability.

Challenges faced by the client

The organization struggled with limited visibility into how their suppliers were performing on key ESG factors, which made it tough to identify risks and ensure everyone was aligned with their values. At the same time, keeping up with constantly changing regulations and reporting requirements added extra pressure. Managing a large, diverse supplier base made consistent oversight even more challenging. Without clear insights, they faced risks like financial penalties, damage to their reputation, and disruptions to their operations. On top of that, they wanted to build stronger, more trusting relationships with their suppliers to encourage responsible and sustainable business practices.

Internal challenges

The organization had a clear sustainability vision but struggled with limited visibility into its suppliers' ESG performance. Without reliable insights, it was difficult to assess risks, enforce ESG standards, and ensure alignment with organization’s internal values and sustainability goals.

External challenges

Externally, the organization had to respond to intensifying regulatory demands, including BRSR and Ecovadis reporting requirements. The lack of supplier-level ESG transparency created exposure to potential non-compliance, regulatory penalties, and reputational risk — making proactive ESG risk management a business imperative.

How D&B helped?

Dun & Bradstreet stepped in to give the client clear, reliable insights into their suppliers’ ESG performance. They carried out thorough assessments on-site, checking important areas like environmental impact, safety, ethics, and compliance. D&B didn’t just identify issues—they worked with suppliers to fix problems and improve through action plans. They also helped create clear policies and offered training sessions to make sure everyone knew what was expected. Thanks to D&B’s support, the client gained better control over their supply chain and was ready to meet current and future ESG requirements with confidence.

Key learnings

• Clear roadmap to improve ESG performance
• Better tracking for future reporting
• Stronger trust and collaboration with suppliers
• Ready for current and upcoming regulations